Fire-escape



(No Model.)

G. M. BIRD.

- FIRE ESCAPE. 810.290.818. 'Patented Deo. 18,1888.

ilnrrnn STATES PATENT OFFICE..

GEORGE M. BIRD, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

Fl REI-ESCAPE.

SPECIFICATION' forming partof Letters Patent No. 290,313, dated December 18, 1883.

Application filed May 3, 1883. (No model.)

To all whom, t may concern:

Be itknown that I, GEORGE M. BIRD, o Boston, in the county of 'Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fire-Escapes, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a cheap, convenient, efficient, and durable reescape adapted to be connected upon the outer wall of a building, above the top windows, doors, or other openings, bysuitable supports or brackets, and thelower portion thereof likewise supported'and connected near the lowerstory windows, the ground, or other desired point; and it consists in the construction, combination, and arrangement of the several parts of the apparatus, as hereinafter more fully described, and set forth in the claim.

The figure represents a perspective view of a fire-escape constructed according` to my invention as attached to the outer wall of a building, the middle or intervening portions being broken away.

A represents the outer wall of a building, and B represents a window therein, above which is permanently connected the brackets or other braced supports, C C, to the outward ends of which is -journaled the horizontal shaft D, having secured thereon near each end the chain-drums E E, over which pass the endless chains L L, extending downward to near the ground, or such -point as desired. They pass around like chain-drums, F F, secured upon the horizontal shaft H, journaled in the brackets G, and near one end of which is secureda gear wheel or pinion, J, and into which gears the worm 7 or screw gear G, attached to the horizontal shaft K, upon the inward end of which is secured the grooved rope-pulley M, over which passes the endless actuating-rope N, one portion passing vertically or upward near the said window B, and thence over the grooved pulley P, then horizontally over the grooved friction-pulley P opposite, and thence vertically downward and beneath the grooved friction-pulley B1, and Ythence over the said grooved rope-pulley M, to the point of beginning. The Said friction-pulleys l? and P are located at each side of the said window B, so as to be operated from either side thereof, or by means of the hand-crank WV, secured to the outward end of the said horizontal shaft K, as shown. The said endless chains L L are connected together at a portion of the linkjoints with cross rods or rounds S, so as to hold the same in parallel positions with each other, and also in proper position to guide the same over the said chain-drums E F in their movements when being operated. Now, inorder to permit the safe escape of an occupant or occupants of such building in case of a fire or emergency requiring a quick exit, I secure to the said endless chains L L horizontal supports or seats T, secured at intervals to the said chains by braces or brackets V, riveted or attached to the said chain-links in any suitable manner. The said braces V may serve as handles to the ends of the said seats or steps T, which are provided at their ends and back edges with narrow projections U, to prevent the occupants from slipping therefrom, and further to strengthen the same.

It will be seen and understood that a person occupying the seats, steps, or supports T will be in position at all times to grasp the endless rope N, so as to actuate the said grooved ropepulley M, and thus rotate the said shaft K, carrying the screw-gear G, so as to rotate the said chain-drums, and thereby lower themselves to the ground or to a place of safety. By such construction and arrangement of the actuating endless rope N, it may be operated at either side of the window by any person within the building at any story from the upper to the lower, or by persons upon the escape, or by a person operating the same by the crank W, and the same may be used to elevate a person or other desired load, and the endless support-chains L L cannot slip or run down at an unsafe speed, on account of the said gear or pinion J land screw or w'orm gear G, which can be actuated only by rotating the said shaft K and screw-gear G, as above described. The said seats, steps, or supports pass downward at the inside of the endless chains L L nextto the wall of the building, as shown by the arrows at the top of the figure, and upward upon the outside of the said endless chains, as shown by the arrows at the lower portion.

'Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- The combination, in a lire-escape, of the end- IOO less actuating-rope N, grooved pulleys l?, P', and connected together at intervals by nieans :1nd R, and shaft; K, provided with the grooved of the cross-rods S, substantially as described, rope-pulley M and screw-gear G, the horizouas and for Jche purposes sel; forth.

tal shaft H, provided with the pinion J, and GEO. M. BIRD. having lshe chain-drums F, and the horizontal Vitnesses: shaft; D, having,r the chain-drums E, and the SYLVENUS WALKER,

endless chains L, having the seats or steps T, F. H. BEAN. 

